Namibia just made history! For the first time in Africa, women lead all top government jobs. On Saturday, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah picked Lucia Witbooi as Vice President and named Ericah Shafudah to run the Finance Ministry. Just one day before, Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila became the first female Speaker of Parliament. This puts women in charge of the three highest offices across the nation.
The President cut government departments down to 14 to save money. But when you count the Vice President, Attorney General, and Planning Director, the leadership team grows to 19 people. Many critics say this number remains way higher than what Namibia can afford. The opposition, local officials, and political experts have spoken against the cabinet size.
Young Namibians feel left out of these changes. They complain the leadership team looks much older, with almost nobody representing younger citizens' concerns. The president won her election on December 3, 2024, making her the first woman to lead the SWAPO party into the presidency. She started her political climb back in 2017 as SWAPO's first female vice president.
Former President Hage Geingob backed her campaign before he died from cancer last February. His death caused big changes as Vice President Nangolo Mbumba stepped up but refused to run for president. Nandi-Ndaitwah then became Vice President under Mbumba before winning the top job. She previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and headed Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ministries.
SWAPO barely kept control of parliament with just 51 seats—their worst result since 1990 independence. People have compared Namibia's cabinet to Malawi's, where President Lazarus Chakwera faces similar criticism for his large 33-member team. Yet Namibia's economy ranks much stronger—their average person earns about $4,000 yearly compared to Malawi's roughly $570. Malawi struggles with extreme inflation despite having nearly the same total economic output.
The President cut government departments down to 14 to save money. But when you count the Vice President, Attorney General, and Planning Director, the leadership team grows to 19 people. Many critics say this number remains way higher than what Namibia can afford. The opposition, local officials, and political experts have spoken against the cabinet size.
Young Namibians feel left out of these changes. They complain the leadership team looks much older, with almost nobody representing younger citizens' concerns. The president won her election on December 3, 2024, making her the first woman to lead the SWAPO party into the presidency. She started her political climb back in 2017 as SWAPO's first female vice president.
Former President Hage Geingob backed her campaign before he died from cancer last February. His death caused big changes as Vice President Nangolo Mbumba stepped up but refused to run for president. Nandi-Ndaitwah then became Vice President under Mbumba before winning the top job. She previously served as Deputy Prime Minister and headed Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ministries.
SWAPO barely kept control of parliament with just 51 seats—their worst result since 1990 independence. People have compared Namibia's cabinet to Malawi's, where President Lazarus Chakwera faces similar criticism for his large 33-member team. Yet Namibia's economy ranks much stronger—their average person earns about $4,000 yearly compared to Malawi's roughly $570. Malawi struggles with extreme inflation despite having nearly the same total economic output.
